Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

This is the archive for Gardner-Webb's Newscenter, which is your source for updates and events happening on campus, as well as interesting stories about GWU students, faculty/staff and alumni. You'll also find stories about academic accomplishments and community service projects.

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Support of Faculty in Degree Completion Program Gave Alumna Confidence to Pursue her Dream

Office of University Communications

Pamela Hutchins McGee of Siloam, N.C., was new to online classes when she enrolled in the Degree Completion Program at Gardner-Webb University. She learned quickly, though, with support from her GWU professors and the technology team. “I was able to dive right in since all of the instructors offered help and were great at answering questions,” offered McGee, who graduated summa cum laude in 2017.
Gardner-Webb University Invites High School Students to Summer Business Program

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University’s Godbold School of Business will welcome local high school students to campus in July to study entrepreneurship and other topics alongside local business professionals during the 12th annual B.E.S.T. (Bringing Entrepreneurs and Students Together) Program. The July 18 – 21 event will offer opportunities to learn professional skills for rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Activities will include business topic workshops, guest speakers, campus tours, outdoor programs and times to network with business leaders and other students.
Gardner-Webb University Trustee and Community Supporter Passes Away

Office of University Communications

A devoted supporter of Gardner-Webb University and several charities in Cleveland County, N.C., passed away June 16. Carl M. Spangler Jr., 84, was a 1952 GWU alumnus and currently serving his fourth term on the GWU Board of Trustees. In 2009, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University for his contributions to the community.
GWU Elementary Education Major Hired While Completing her Student Teaching

Office of University Communications

On Lauren Hamilton’s first day of student teaching, the lesson she prepared fell flat. The children in the class didn’t pay attention or participate. To get back on track, Hamilton (’17) remembered the advice of her professors at Gardner-Webb University.
GWU President Dr. Frank Bonner Selected to Serve on NCAA Division I Board

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb University President Dr. Frank Bonner has been appointed to a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors. The 24-member board is comprised of representatives from the various conferences in Division I, the chair of the NCAA Division I Council, one faculty athletics representative, one senior woman administrator representative, and one student-athlete. Bonner is honored to represent Gardner-Webb at this national, high level of NCAA governance for Division I.
10 Students Participate in Gardner-Webb University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

Office of University Communications and Emily Eidson

While many college students will be spending their summers lying by the beach under a shady umbrella, 10 Gardner-Webb students have chosen to spend their break working on an extensive project that could potentially shape the course of their academic careers. The Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (SURS) is specifically designed for students such as these, who are looking to broaden their horizons during the summer months. “The Undergraduate Research Program’s mission is to involve students and professors in scholarly projects that come to fruition outside the boundaries of the classroom,” says Dr. June Hobbs, creator and director of the Summer Scholars program.
Gardner-Webb Coach and 5 Students Participate in Summer Mission Trip to Capitan, New Mexico

Office of University Communications

The summer is the perfect time for adventure, and Gardner-Webb University’s assistant track and field coach, Evan Brusich, is ready to venture to Capitan, N.M. with a group of five students, including Merideth Byl, Ashleigh Cleveland, Laine Parker, Keaton Poole, and Annamarie Warley, for an enlightening weeklong mission trip. Once there, the mission team plans on combining their shared love of athletics and Christ in order to demonstrate their faith to the people of Capitan and learn a little bit about themselves along the way. While in New Mexico, Brusich and his group intend to work with Lone Tree Camps, mission-based camp, which uses the outdoors to share the love of Christ and build meaningful relationships with fellow campers.
Gardner-Webb University Artists Participate in the Annual Cleveland County Artists Competition

Office of University Communications and Emily Eidson

Currently, the Cleveland County Arts Council is hosting its annual Cleveland County Artists Competition. The exhibit provides local artists with an opportunity to display their own creations and compete for numerous awards. Many Gardner-Webb professors, staff, students, and alumni are exhibiting artwork in this year’s competition, and several have already received some prestigious honors.
GWU Professors Help Chemistry Student Pursue Goals

Office of University Communications

Tyler Hemingway ’18 wasn’t familiar with Gardner-Webb University when he came for a visit as a high school senior. A resident of Cape Coral, Fla., Hemingway was looking for a college with an exceptional science department and research opportunities. “I first heard of Gardner-Webb at a college fair held in Fort Myers, Fla.,” Hemingway recalled.
GWU School of Education Helps Experienced Educator Enhance her Skills

Office of University Communications

When Cynthia E. Wortham completed her School Administration Certificate at Gardner-Webb University in 2014, she was energized and ready for the next step. “That ‘forever-a-student’ part of me became as strong as ever,” Wortham recalled. “My appetite for knowledge was greatly whet again. Even though I have been in education for almost 30 years, I saw that I have so much more to learn. I decided to pursue my Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction almost immediately upon completing my administration work. So here I am with my final defense the only thing left in this doctoral experience. The experience has changed my life – both professionally and personally.”
GWU Criminal Justice Degree Was First Step in Alum’s Successful Career

Office of University Communications

Tom Anderson ’04 of Statesville, N.C., believes that personal success doesn’t happen by accident. An alumnus and adjunct professor for Gardner-Webb University, Anderson tells students that academic and career success is a combination of intentional steps, goal setting, and a high level of commitment. To reach his goals, the first intentional step he took was to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Internship Leads to Full-Time Job for GWU Exercise Science Alumnus

Office of University Communications

Haden Baker finished his exercise science internship the summer before his senior year at Gardner-Webb University. Working at a fitness center in Morganton, N.C., he applied the principles and skills he had learned from his professors. “The internship experience was probably the most rewarding class that I completed at GWU,” observed the 2017 graduate.
GWU Undergraduate Research Project Earns Accolades and Opportunities for Music Student

Office of University Communications

As a rising junior, Christian Jessup ’17 took on the ambitious project of developing a completely original score for the 1977 blockbuster, Star Wars. His work was made possible by a grant from the GWU Undergraduate Research Scholars program. During the five-week research experience, students are mentored by a faculty member and receive on campus room and board as well as tuition remission, if applicable.
GWU Exercise Science Alum Accepts Position with Navy in Aerospace Division

Office of University Communications

Seaver Wait ’17 stepped out of his comfort zone several times while working on his exercise science degree at Gardner-Webb University. Each situation was a chance for Wait to strengthen his critical-thinking skills. “My professors, Dr. Jeff Hartman and Dr. David Granniss, taught me how to think at a high level,” observed Wait of Candler, N.C.
Gardner-Webb Hosts Annual LifeWay Kids Camps June 12 – July 28

Office of University Communications

Gardner-Webb will welcome more than 2,500 children and adults to the University during the next seven weeks as the campus hosts a LifeWay Kids Christian camp series for the third consecutive year. CentriKid, a children’s ministry of the international Christian resources organization LifeWay, offers youth in grades three through six opportunities for Bible study, worship and recreational experiences. Camps are organized and led by teams of young adults, including college and seminary students, who help serve as directors, pastors and worship leaders.
GWU Alumna Adjusts Education and Career Goals to Follow God’s Calling

Office of University Communications

Called into ministry at 16, Megan G. Brown of Fridley, Minn., came to Gardner-Webb University with clear goals in mind. She would be the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree and then serve in youth ministry. Her plans started to unravel as she approached graduation in 2005.
GWU Criminal Justice Alumnus Gains Knowledge to Effectively Solve Problems

Office of University Communications

Every spring, the population of the town of Wilkesboro, N.C., grows by around 75,000 for Merlefest, a musical tribute to the late folk and bluegrass guitarist Merle Watson. Ensuring the safety of visitors and residents during the four-day event requires a team effort of hundreds of people. Chief of Police Craig Garris, a 2000 graduate of Gardner-Webb University, coordinates his department’s role in the effort.
GWU Exercise Science Professors Prepare Student for Competitive Graduate School

Office of University Communications

More than 600 students applied to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. Jordan Davis, a 2017 graduate of Gardner-Webb University, was one of 38 who were accepted. “I credit my very quick admission (same day as my interview) to the unique and thorough preparation the GWU Exercise Science program provided,” Davis related. “I feel as though I stood out among the others who were selected to interview due to two major aspects: 1) the rigorous coursework on my transcript and 2) the heavy emphasis my major professors placed on developing ‘soft skills’ for professional success.”
GWU’s Center for Innovative Leadership Development to Present Annual Event

Office of University Communications

A free event held at Gardner-Webb University each year will once again bring together educators from around the region and state. The eighth annual Summer Leadership Conference is scheduled for June 25-27 in the Tucker Student Center at Gardner-Webb University, and hundreds of individuals are registered to attend. Sponsored by Gardner-Webb University’s Center for Innovative Leadership Development and the K-12 Teacher Alliance, the conference will offer three learning tracks including “Developing Capacity in Learning Organizations,” “Becoming a Leader of Teachers,” and “Collaborating, Communicating, and Building Learning Cultures.”
High School Students Prepare for Upcoming Learning Opportunities at Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications

For dozens of high school students in Cleveland and Rutherford counties, this summer will offer unique opportunities for developing new insight into the practical application of principles they have learned throughout the school year. Through grants from the Stonecutter Foundation (Spindale, N.C.) and the Duke Energy Foundation (Charlotte, N.C.), Gardner-Webb University is planning three weeklong academies, which will offer local students enrichment in the subjects of math, science, and computer science. The Stonecutter Foundation will sponsor academies for participants from Rutherford County high schools.
World Champion Drum and Bugle Corps to Perform Latest Show at Gardner-Webb

Office of University Communications

Carolina Crown, a world champion drum and bugle corps based in Rock Hill, S.C., will perform its 2017 show on Saturday, June 17, at Gardner-Webb University. The event is free and open to the public. More than 150 musicians with the South Carolina-based corps have called Boiling Springs home for the past month to rehearse the 2017 show.
Over 30 Pastors and Students Attend the Annual Pastors’ School Hosted by GWU

Office of University Communications and Emily Eidson

Even pastors require a day of Sabbath. Self-care may seem like an obvious human need, but when you work at an around-the-clock job such as ministry, finding time to take care of yourself can become lost between the many tasks of leading a church. Recently, pastors gathered at Gardner-Webb University for the annual Pastors’ School, an educational retreat for pastors and students of ministry and theology. This year, the event focused on the topic, “The Minister and Self-Care.”
GWU Alumna Enjoys Working with Every Student in her School

Office of University Communications

Nearly 700 students attend the elementary school in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Kyndal Davis ’15 teaches physical education. The Gardner-Webb University alumna sees them all twice a week. “I love that I get to see and work with all of the kids in the school,” Davis asserted.
Freeman Fund Provides Scholarship Assistance to Eight Area High School Students

Office of University Communications

Since 1991, the Joseph B. Freeman, Jr. Education Fund has assisted Cleveland County students annually in their pursuit of higher education. On Wednesday, May 31, eight students were named the recipients of this year’s Freeman Fund. This year, $16,000 in scholarship funds will be provided to these students, and four of them are planning to attend Gardner-Webb University this fall.
GWU Mourns Loss of Community Volunteer and Longtime Supporter

Office of University Communications

The Gardner-Webb University community is mourning the loss of one of its longtime supporters. Ruby Crowder Hunt, wife of GWU Trustee Dr. Jack Hunt, passed away May 27 at her home in Lattimore, N.C. In 2014, the Hunts gave a generous gift to establish the Hunt School of Nursing.